Bad news for tourism workers in Alanya: Weekly day off now once every 11 days

Bad news for tourism workers in Alanya: Weekly day off now every 11 days

With the regulation passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), tourism sector workers will now be able to take a day off not after 6 days, but after 10 consecutive days of work.

Special Weekly Leave Regulation for Tourism Sector

The weekly day-off rule has changed for tourism workers in Alanya and throughout Turkey. According to the new law passed on Wednesday night in the Parliament, employees working in licensed tourism accommodation facilities will now be granted a weekly day off only after 10 consecutive days of work.

Contrary to the Current Labor Law

Normally, Article 46 of the Labor Law stipulates that a worker earns the right to a weekly day off after working for 6 days. If the worker is made to work on that day off, they must be paid 1.5 times the regular wage. Additionally, according to Court of Cassation rulings, a worker who opts to work on their day off may be compensated with 1.5 days of paid time off instead.

No Overtime in the New System

Under the new regulation, working on the weekly day off will not be considered overtime for tourism employees. However, there is no clause regulating when the accumulated off days must be used, allowing employers to delay rest days until the end of the season.

Similar Demand from Construction Sector

With this law change, a new era begins in Turkey’s weekly rest system. During parliamentary committee discussions, some employer representatives requested similar regulation for the construction sector. These demands are expected to be on the Parliament’s agenda soon.